Kamala’s Harsh Takedown of Trump Over Bob Woodward Shocker Draws Blood
Oct 9, 2024
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Nicholas Grossman, a professor of international relations and contributor to Bulwark, shares insights on Trump’s troubling interactions with Putin during the pandemic, including sending COVID tests to Russia. He discusses Kamala Harris's cutting remarks on Trump’s authoritarian aspirations, linking them to a broader pattern of global autocrats. The conversation delves into how misinformation supports these leaders and the urgent need to defend democracy against rising authoritarianism, especially as U.S. political tensions escalate.
Kamala Harris's critique of Trump underscores the dangerous alignment between his authoritarian aspirations and global autocrats like Putin.
The implications of the upcoming elections could significantly shape the global democratic landscape, impacting the strategies of authoritarian regimes.
Deep dives
Trump's Affinity for Authoritarianism
Donald Trump's actions during the COVID-19 pandemic reveal a troubling alignment with authoritarian figures like Vladimir Putin. Reports indicate that Trump prioritized sending COVID tests to Putin while downplaying the virus's severity to the American public, showcasing a stark contrast in priorities. This behavior illustrates a self-serving approach where Trump's reputation appeared more important than the welfare of American citizens, leading to a compelling critique from Kamala Harris regarding Trump's desire for dictatorial power. The implication is that such actions resonate with authoritarian practices, where the leader prioritizes personal allegiances over national interests.
The Autocratic Alliance
Trump's relationship with global authoritarian figures indicates a convergence of interests against democratic values, fostering a network of right-wing leaders who admire each other's governing styles. This partnership transcends official alliances and is characterized by shared contempt for liberal democracy and the suppression of dissent. Connecting conservative movements in the U.S. with figures like Putin and Orban, there is an ideological admiration rooted in cultural conservatism and opposition to progressive values. This alliance reveals a dangerous trend where authoritarian sentiment can gain traction by capitalizing on perceived threats to their governance from civil rights and freedoms.
The Stakes of Upcoming Elections
The ramifications of the upcoming elections extend beyond national borders, influencing the global democratic landscape significantly. If Trump were to regain power, it would embolden authoritarian regimes worldwide, providing them with a morale boost and undermining the struggle for democracy in various countries, particularly Ukraine. In contrast, a victory for pro-democracy candidates like Kamala Harris could signal to authoritarian leaders that their ambitions face substantial opposition, thus impacting their strategies on a global scale. As the discourse unfolds, the urgent challenge lies in effectively communicating these stakes to undecided voters who may not fully grasp the long-term consequences of their choices.
In a new book, Bob Woodward reports that Donald Trump sent covid tests to Vladimir Putin at the height of the pandemic, and that after leaving office, Trump had up to seven private phone calls with Putin. This drew a harsh response from Kamala Harris, who pointed out that Trump kowtows to Putin because he aspires to be a dictator himself. Which highlights something important: The direct connection between Trump’s authoritarian aspirations at home and the axis of global autocrats rooting for him to prevail. We talked to international relations professor Nicholas Grossman, who writes on these issues, about all these shadowy links, and whether Harris can highlight all this in the home stretch.